5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (March 30)
1. Golden Star Showers
Last week, we lavished praise on New Japan Pro Wrestling for booking to perfection its annual New Japan Cup tournament. Next week, we'll likely do the same when victor Zack Sabre, Jr. challenges IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in what promises to be a Match Of The Year candidate. This week, we lavish praise on the absolutely seminal headlining match of NJPW Strong Style Evolved between the Golden Lovers and the Young Bucks. This is a company offering MOTY-level action on a weekly basis.
Have we as wrestling fans ever had it this good?
The match, rated the full ***** from the Observer, told a fabulous story in which Omega hesitated to inflict too much damage to the injured back of Matt Jackson, instead opting for a sportsmanlike approach in the opening phase. As the action intensified, this veneer deteriorated. In a genuine moment of pathos, Matt outright asked Kenny, gripped with fury, if he felt good for hammering his back with stiff kicks. This was a match that truly shattered the old babyface and heel divide, compelling the crowd to challenge their allegiances, while also shattering the myth that the Bucks don't know how to sell, nor grasp psychology. Loading the bout with awesome sequences built deftly and logically around the story, this was as rich in emotion as it was awe-inspiring in content.
Let down slightly by the subpar commentary of Jim Ross - who probably did attempt to carry out some research, but mentally wandered after Googling the word "Golden" - this, nonetheless, was an absolutely phenomenal match well worth seeking out to challenge also the perception that storytelling is somehow exclusive to WWE.